Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2010

The State Party has submitted a state of conservation report on 15 February 2010 which highlights responses to the requests made by the World Heritage Committee during its 33rd session (Seville, 2009):

a) In response to the World Heritage Committee's request to revise the design of the Avenue of the Sphinxes and to submit it with appropriate details, the State Party declares its will to develop an overall and detailed urban plan, based on a multi-disciplinary approach and benefiting from international expertise, to ensure the integration of the “avenue” in the urban context. The plan is expected to be completed in the six coming months. The State Party acknowledges the loss of an historical minaret which collapsed from too hasty demolition of adjacent buildings.

b) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for an integrated Management Plan for Karnak, Luxor and the West Bank, the State Party has promised a “Super Master Plan” for the two river banks in 2010.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies consider that there could be a confusion between a Master Plan and a Management Plan that would integrate all the components of the property. At the request of the State Party, the World Heritage Centre has earmarked extrabudgetary funds to support the preparation of the integrated Management Plan.

c) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for a formal co-ordination mechanism under the responsibility of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) to review all projects with the potential to affect the property and its buffer zone, the State Party is creating a Piloting Committee for Heritage Conservation and Urban Rehabilitation with a range of functions including implementation of the Master Plan, and integrating the Corniche and Avenue of the Sphinxes projects in the city centre rehabilitation.

d) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for the development of a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, the State Party notes efforts to establish a dialogue on this subject with the World Heritage Centre. However, the State Party has not yet submitted a draft Statement.

e) In relation to the landing stage for cruise boats to be developed in the West Bank, the State Party notes its eagerness to formulate terms of reference for an international bid for the development and implementation of an inland harbour, in order to limit tourist development, reduce the sail boat docking area, and establish clear limitations and building regulations for related commercial and leisure activities.

f) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for the development of a buffer zone on the West Bank, the State Party has not reported.

g) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request to adopt the recommendations made by the recent joint mission of 2009, the State Party reported on plans for development of the Corniche, and on the Hassan Fathy New Gurna village largely based on the recommendations.

At the request of the State Party, the World Heritage Centre has earmarked extrabudgetary funds to develop a conservation and restoration project at New Gurna, within the framework of the World Heritage Earthen Architecture programme.

h) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s suggestion that the State Party organise an international consultation in order to design projects and plans to highlight and present the property's Outstanding Universal Value, the State Party notes that it is strengthening the dialogue with international experts.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies acknowledge the submission of a complete state of conservation report from the State Party. However while this report includes several positive segments (on for example the development of plans for the Corniche and for New Gurna), some of the World Heritage Committee’s requests remain unmet.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies remain concerned by the rapid pace of works undertaken by the State Party in the property without adequate detailed projects with underlined research and methodology being submitted to the World Heritage Centre as required by paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are also concerned by the number of other World Heritage Committee requests not yet met by the State Party.

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (Egypt) (C 87)

3. Takes note of the detailed state of conservation report provided by the State Party;

4. Notes that the report however does not respond to some of the requests made by the World Heritage Committee in previous decisions and reiterates its request for:

a) an integrated management plan for the property as a whole,

b) the establishment of a West Bank buffer zone,

c) a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value;

5. Requests the State Party to provide detailed information on the planning and design of proposed and on-going projects, in particular for the Avenue of the Sphinx, the Corniche and the landing stage for cruise boats on the West Bank in line with the Operational Guidelines;

6. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a detailed progress report on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012.

Draft Decision: 34 COM 7B.55

3. Takes note of the detailed state of conservation report provided by the State Party;

4. Notes that the report however does not respond to some of the requests made by the World Heritage Committee in previous decisions and reiterates its request for:

a) an integrated management plan for the property as a whole,

b) the establishment of a West Bank buffer zone,

c) a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value;

5. Requests the State Party to provide detailed information on the planning and design of proposed and on going projects, in particular for the Avenue of the Sphinx, the Corniche and the landing stage for cruise boats on the West Bank in line with the Operational Guidelines;

6. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a detailed progress report on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012.

Documents examined by the Committee in 2010

Exports

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).